Sweat band



Sept. 27, 1938. J. c/,LuwAGHl SWEA-T BAND' Filed Agg IN VEN TOR Jaw CAMA/,46H Maj ATT ORNE a.. 11| fs n.//////////////////// n in l Ir uncngusehiuheh Patented Sept. 27K, 1938 f f UNITED STATES 2.131,697 f., f ,t

r SWEAT BAND Y l John Cavanagh, East Norwalk, Conn., assignor i to Hat Corporation .of America, Norwalk,

Conn., a corporation of Delaware Applieation August 2s, 1935, serial Ne.s1.54s

' .7 claims. (c1. 'fa-181)',l

The present invention relatesfto improvements in sweat bands for hats andA caps. In particular it relates to fabric sweat bands ratherzthan the usual leather bands, and to composite rather than 5 single ply bands.

A fabric sweat band has the desirable characteristic of being more flexible and of more readily absorbing perspiration than a leather band, and -of providing a smooth and silky feel and a'better and more comfortable conforming-shape, especially at the forehead. A fabric sweat band also provides a large number of interstices between the woven fibres whereby air may pass between the wearers forehead and the cloth band vmore freely than with leather bands, thereby providing freer circulation at the point where the sweat band engages the forehead and serving to make the wearer feel more comfortable.

However, with most of the fabricsweat bands heretofore provided there was a` disadvantage of the perspiration permeating the sweat bandand passing to the hat, and in some cases through the hat to the outer hat band itself. 'Because a fabric sweat band is preferably. soft andyielding there is a possibility of wrinkling and a problem of supporting it in an inverted position within the crown of a hat.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a fabric sweat band adapted to absorb per- @130 spiration much more readily than leather and other sweat bands heretofore provided.

To this-end the present invention provides a fabric sweat band of materials readily adapted to absorb the perspiration and which is constructed *3.5 in a novel manner to prevent the perspiration from seeping entirely through the fabric head cloth to the hat body or outer hat band which would therefore spoil or mar the appearance of the hat. Jv40 An especially important feature of the present invention in this connection, is the provision of a composite sweat band for hats and caps which is provided with a fabric head band imparting a smooth t and feel at the wearers head and which A5 is provided with an absorbent Ybacking member,

having a high capacity of absorption and subsequent evaporation.

A complementary feature in connection with this form of the invention is the provision of a '.50 water-proof coating directly upon the absorbent backing member adapted to prevent the body acids, perspiration and the like in theabsorbent member from seeping therethrough to the hat body and to the hat band. Thus, it is apparent that the present invention provides an economical impervious.

fabricsweat band adapted to absorb'a" large amount of perspiration-yet adapted to prevent the absorbed perspiration from seeping through to the hat body where'it would mar the general appearance 'ofthe hat. e Another feature of the invention is the provision of ra separate barrier or water-proong-member inV back of the absorbent-backing member, serving mainly as a dam, therebyv providing a three-ply composite sweat which lis both Ahighly '10 absorbent and highly water-proof or moisture In lightcolore'd hats especially,V and in warm climates, it is always a very real problem to keep the Aperspiration from seeping through asWeat "-15 band and marring the appearance of a hat and outer band.

' It is an object of the present invention to provide aY sweat `band which is unusually effective in preventing the hat body and outer-hat band from 0 being spoiled by vmoisture* and perspiration, and to provide such improved sweatbands which will be applicable to all styles'ofjhats and caps.

Although fabric sweat bands for hats are desirable from-the standpointof smooth fit and feel,

lair spaces to insure a more comfortable andmore natural engagement and condition of the forehead, as hereinbefore set forth,- 'these desirable objects are impeded sometimes -bygthe soft fabric properlysupported within theh'at. Y l

' Itis another object of the present invention t `o f the hat band itself when itwrinines or is not-.30

provide a fabric sweat band having all theafore- Aksaid characteristics, but' which-will always be Y smooth and properly supported within the hat. *Tothis end, the present invention Aprovides a novel structure for imparting and maintaining -the fabric sweat band in a neat, smooth general appearance at all times and so arranged thatlit will be properly supported at all times and lvvil140 not be pulled from within the crown.

-Another object isto-providea fabric sweat band which may be made in variousvforms, for eXample with a flange extending under-"the brim section of ahata considerable extent in order to` prevent perspiration from getting around thelower-end thereof andV seeping into the brim of the hat. K 1

`:"Accordingly, an important feature of the present inventionY is the provision of a` novel backing` 'member adapted to be preformed with a considerable. ange and to support a fabric thereover, or

to take a fabric in `its original flat form and -be .formedwith ailange in such .amanner as to support the fabric under. the rim ofthe hat .a-

considerable extent and thereby impart a neat appearance to the hat and at the same time prevent the perspiration from getting around the corner thereof to the hat body.

It is a 'further object of the present invention to provide a fabric head band or sweat band for hats and caps which will be yielding and flexible to conform with the shape of a head, yet which will not stretch and thereby lose the ,proper head size and allow the `hat to slide from the head of a user; that is, to provide a sweat band which will not stretch, but will maintain its original size at all times and thereby insure a snug fitr-upon the head of a wearer. This is especially desirable in hats with sweat bands such as the present one made of fabric which Vis normallymuchfmore yielding than the sweat leathers ordinarily used in hats. y

-To this end the present invention provides a band of unyielding material extending around the sweat band at the point where it engages the head and which would .normally be 4subject to the greatest amount of stretch, capable of preventing the n sweat band from stretching and thereby maintaining the band vin the originally formed size. Y

In hats it is desirable to have the sweatband serve as a retainer to cooperate with the hat body vin keeping the crown lining in place. However, when the sweat band is not possessed of strength, the weight .of the .fabric lining causes it to vbend over and thereby spoil thel appearance of either or both the sweat band and the crown lining. a k

.It is .an important object ofthe present invention to provide a fabric sweat band capable of properly supporting the crown lining between tself and the hat body and which will dothis without bending or wrinkling even` though it is made of light, flexible fabric -in the main section.

Other objects, features, and advantages will appear hereinafter. n

Referring now in detail to the drawing:

Figure l is a perspective view. of the complete sweat band of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary andsectional `View of one form of sweat band made in accordance with the present invention and applied to .a hat which vis shown -fragmentarily.

Fig. 3 is 'a fragmentary sectional :view similar to Fig. 2 but shows the lcomposite sweat band made with an additional waterproofing or `moisture impervious member thereon. y

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary and sectional view of a simplified form of the present invention.

Fig. 5V is a slightly modified form of the invention shown in Fig. 4. Y

Fig. `6 isa fragmentary` viewshowing a modified connection :between ythe head band and .the `back- :ing member.

A sweat band Ill,` shown in Fig. 3, is theaform of the present Yinvention nowpreferred, and accordingly is first described. It Acomprises ahead band II `of any kind of fabric. At present fabrics made of synthetic fibres such as Celanese, Rayon, and the Y like are preferred. A soft yielding weave tothe material is preferable, `and may be provided to any desired degree in the now well known manner .of making fabric materials.

The fabric head .band I I .is laid upon and supported by a .backing member I2, preferably by lappingmargins I3 and I4 thereof over side edges `lli .and IBand'by adhesivelysecuringthe margins to `the .outer `side I1 :of the 'backing inember, as bybadliesivebands -23 and 24.

This backing member I2 is a particularly important part of the present invention and should vtherefore be particularly noted. It is preferably made of a felted, self-supporting material which is highly permeable or absorbent, to readily ab sorb the perspiration collected by and seeping through the fabric head band II, and also sufficiently porous to readily evaporate the collected perspiration subsequently. While a blotting paper may be used for this purpose, other tougher :yet absorbent materials are preferred. At present a paper like composition of fibrous material .imember I2 tofanyparticular material, with the exception however that it is preferably absorbent,

. tough, and self supporting. The latter characteristicisparticularly desirable since it serves the important function of supporting and maintainingthesuperposedand soft fabric head band I'I in a raised or inverted position within a crown 2| of -a hat 20 and .prevents it from being pulled out of the crown when a user lifts the hat from his head.

Further, by being self supporting, the backing member I2 may be provided with a flange I8 to .prevent Vperspiration from reaching the brim I9 cfa hat 20 and indirectly from reaching a crown `2I thereof.

It is within the purview of this invention to furnish the contemplated sweat .bands either with or without the flange I8. Since the backing member I2 is self supporting itis capable of .maintaining andsupporting the soft fabric head I I inl a stretched `position about the flange I8. v V

A waterproof coating 22 is vpreferably applied to `the `outer .side I1 -of the backing member-I2, ,as by a'brush, spray, or any other of the now wellknown ways. The coating may be of rubber, .of varnish, `or -similar material. Preferably the Ycoating is lof a consistencyand thicknessadapted to vimpart additional rigidity or otherwise improve theself supporting Vcharacter of the backing memeber I2, yet suliciently flexible to allow theA band to .conform `with variously shaped `heads without cracking. It also 4prevents the backing rmember I2 from stretching adversely. It serves the important .function 4of preventing perspiration from passing entirely through the backing member andthereby protects the adjacentghat -20 and usualouter hat band from being adversely `subjected to .an impregnation of perspiration.

.By .applying this coating Vprior to lapping the margins 1I3 and I4 over .the edges I5 vand I6, the coating may be `used-tosecure-the head band I-I thereto. However, to insure an even thickness vand. substantially Vimpervious `coating 2 2, separate :Although thebacking strip I2 may be of a `woven material, it is preferably made of a pressed `fibrous material since it may more `easily 'be covered with a 'coating 2'2 and 'more vcertainly be renderedfimpervious.

lhelporositysofthe backing .member forwardly of the coating 22 and the interstices between `the fibres of the fabric I I, facilitate a rapid evaporation of accumulated perspirationfromthe band.

Prior to securing the margin I4 to theouter side though, a sizing strip 26, suchasa closely woven cloth tape which is incapable of yielding or stretching, is also superposed upon the backing member I2. This strip serves the important function of preventing the more or less yielding head band II and backing member I2i'from stretching from the original fabricated .head band size. It may be secured to the backing member I2 by the coating 22 or by the adhesive 24, preferably the latter, whereuponv the outer si-de of the strip, too, may be coated with adhesive v41' in order to receive and holdthe outer extremity of the margin I4.

A waterproof barrier member 28 is also preferably provided on the composite sweat band I2, of either oiled or rubberized silk, orother waterproof materials now used for like purposes in the back of sweat bands of leather and other materials. The use of a material having the trade-name of Blossom, and generally consisting of a silk or other fabric treated with Glyptal or glycerol-phthalate has been found most satisfactory since this material is very flexible, yet it is not affected by body acids, etc., found in perspiration, andconsequently has a long life. It may be secured to the composite band as by suitable ban-ds of adhesive 29 and 30. When the barrier member 28 is provided, the waterproof coating 22 may be dispensed with. However, because of the extreme desirability of keeping perspiration from the hat, both are preferably embodied in the sweat band.

Thus it will be seen that the composite sweat band Ill, of Fig. 3, comprises the head cloth II, backing member I2, sizing strip 26 and the barrier member 28, preferably secured together in the manner hereinbefore described, although the sizing strip 26 may be superposed upon the margin I4 rather than underneath it and other minor changes made within the purview of the present invention. After the various elements thereof are so secured together they are cut to the exact desired length (viz., to equal the circumference of the desired sweat band size) and then secured together at adjoining ends 3| and 32 as by a line of straight stitching 33, or zig-zag stitching 34, as shown in Fig. 2.

Thereafter the completed sweat band may be secured to the hat in any of the now well known ways, for example, as by edge stitching 35 shown in Fig. 4. After it is so secured in place it serves to advantageously support a crown lining 36 within the hat 20. The backing member is sufficiently self supporting to keep the lining in place and to prevent the fabric head band II from curling out of the crown as the user removes the hat from his head. The fabric member II and/or the backing member effectively absorb and evaporate perspiration, while the coatingl 22 and/ or the barrier member 26 effectively prevent perspiration from reaching the hat 2|) or the usual outer hat band.

Figure 2 shows a modified form of composite sweat band IIIA which is the same as the sweat band I0 just described in detail, excepting for the omission of the barrier member 28, and consequent detailed description thereof again would be superfluous. In many instances and in temperate climates, the'coating 22 alone has proven sufficient to prevent perspiration from reaching the hat 2D. In the hotter climates where perspiring pose. sistency and strength,=it`serves effectively to supismore prevalent the use ofthe barriermember 28 on the band AIl) is more satisfactory andfpreto prevent the sweatband from stretching. {However, the unyielding siz'ingmember 26 makes a vmore positive and effective sweat band.-

Figurei shows' a sweat band IIJB which-is a further modified form of the present invention wherein' the barrier'member 28y alone serves to support and ymaintainthe fabric headband I I in.

theinverted position within the 'hat, andj to 26 may also be dispensed with, as showninfFigfl, y lsince the coatingserves in aconsiderable measure prevent the passageofperspiration to the hat.

Although thisbarrier band may be treated with rubber to render it impervious, it has been found that rubber has 'a short life, does' not resistmbody acids, and is somewhat-elastic.

A fabric member treated with synthetic resin, such as Glyptal is inert to body acids, has a long life, and is not elastic; Consequently it has been found muchmore satisfactory for this pur- Since it can Ibe made of any desired conport thek fabric head band II. In this form,A in

order. toachieve thehead band supporting charbe secured together by an adhesive or by Vmarginal lines of stitching 25. The double thickness of thin barrier strips has the advantage of'greater flexibility than the single thick barrier strip of the sweat band IDB so that it will better conform with irregularities of ones head and at thev same time will serve to support the head band I2 in an upright and wrinkle-proof condition to the same degree as the one thick'barrier member 28 of the band IZB.

In the sweat bands IOB and IUC' the barrier strip may be provided with a supplemental coating 22, of rubber varnish or thelike, but preferably of glycerol-phthalate.

Although the present invention has been described primarily as applied to a hat, it is equally applicable for use with caps, as will be readily understood by those in this art.

Other variations and modifications may be made within the scope ofthis invention and porsupport the fabric head band and prevent it from wrinkling; a sizing strip of substantially unyielding material, adapted to prevent the head band and backing member from stretching; a waterproof barrier member encircling said absorbent backing member; and rmeans for securing said fabric head band, absorbent backing vmember,V

sizing strip, and waterproof barrier member to- 75 gether.

2. A Ycomposite sweat band forhats Icomprising a fabric head band; an absorbent backing member, more rigid than the head band, adapted to 3. A composite sweat band for hats comprisingl a fabric head band; a highlyr absorbent vbacking member, more rigid than the head band, adapted to alone support the fabric head band and prevent it from Wrinkli'ng; a sizing strip of substantially unyielding textile` material, adapted to prevent the head band and backing member from stretching; and means for securing said fabric head band, backing member, `and sizing strip together.

4. A composite sweat band `for .hats comprising a fabric head band; an absorbent backing member of self-supporting material, more rigid than the fabric headband, adapted to alone support the fabric head band and Atoprevent it from wrinkling; a Waterproof coating on said backing member on the side away from said fabric head band; means forsecuring said `fabric head band to said backing member; and an outwardly extending peripheral flange on said ibacking niember at the lower edge thereofV adapted to valone ber of pressedvibrousmaterial, more rigid than 5:5

the fabric head band; adapted to alone support the fabric headband andto prevent it from Wrinkling; a Waterproof coating on said backing Vmember on the side away from said fabric head band; and means for securing said fabric headwlO ,-bandto lsaidbacking member.

6. rA composite sweat band for hats comprising a highly absorbent backing member of self supporting material having top and bottom edges and an outer side; a fabric head band supported V=;15

by said backing member and having top and bottom margins overlapping the top and bottom edges and the outer side thereof; a sizing strip of substantially unyielding material encompassing said 'ahead band member and said backingjzo member to prevent stretching of lsaid members; and a Waterproof barriermember forming an outer face for the sweat band.

7. A composite sweat `band for hats comprisving a lfabric head band; a highly absorbent back-- -25 ing member of felted material for absorbing moisture from the head band more rigid than the fabric head band, adapted to alone support the fabric head band and to prevent it from wrinkling; a sizing strip ofrsubstantially unyieldingfso textile material; and means for securing said fabric head iband to said absorbent backing member and .sizing strip.

' JOHN CAVANAGH. 

